Funnel.



Patented July 2, 1912.

[.VVENTOR n.) n m mi. n

G. L. MILLER.

FUNNEL.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.2z,1011.

WITNESSES Mook w Q i QW ya@ GORGE L. `MILLEB, OF HENRY COUNTY, NEAR COALVALLEY,

ILLINOIS.

FUNNEL.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented July1 2, 1912.

Application tlled November 22, 1911. Serial No. 661,778.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing in the l county of Henry, near Coal Valley, in the l county ofRock Island and State of Illinois, l, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Funnels, of which the followlng is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to funnels such as are used in filling bottles,casks, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to l improve the generalconstruction of that type of funnel wherein the liquid contents of thefunnel body willbe closed oft' from the delivery tube of the funnel whenthe liquid in the receiving vessel is raised to a predetermined point.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction, and combinations and arrangementsof parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a vertical median sectionthrough a funnel constructed in accordance with this invent-ion. Fig. 2is aside elevation, partly in section of the lower portion of such afunnel. Fig. 3 is a vertical detail section at right angles to Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4, Fig. 2.

The funnel herein shown is represented as being engaged in the neck of abottle 10 and consists of an inverted truste-conical body ortion 11provided at its up )er end with tie usual base 12. 'By funnel ody asused hereinafter is to be understood the main truste-conical )ortionsince the delivery spout and body may be made of a single piece of spunmetal or may be made as now to be described. The end of the funnel isprovided with a shoulder 13 from which depends a delivery spout 14having a series of escape openings 15 formed annularly around its lowerend and this lower end just below these openings is provided with aclosure 16 in the form of a cork or other plug. Extending through thewall of the funnel 11 is a tube 17 the upper end whereof terminatesabove the normal fluid level of the funnel body and the lower end ofthis tube extends downward and terminates at the lower end of thedelivery tube l 14 on the exterior thereof. Carried by the tube 17 arebrackets 18 wherein is supported a guide 1t). Extending through the tube17 and guide 19 is a rod or wire which Consists of a straight portion.20 alined with the tube 17. The lower end of this portion Q0 is bentinward as at 2l and terminates in a downwardly extending prong or spur22 whereon is carried a float 23 which is protected from contact withthe bottle neck by means of a screen 24. The upper end of the wire 2O isbentI also inward as at 25 and then downward through the guide 19 as at.26. Below the guide 19 the wire is reversely curved, being first bentupwardly as at 9.7 and then downwardly as at 28. From the end of thecurve 528 the wire extends at an angle as at 29. Secured to the lowerend of the funnel 11 is a bar 30 whereon is hinged a flap valve 31adapted to seat upon the shoulder 13 and thereby close the upper end ofthe delivery tube 14. This valve is provided with an eye 32 whereto isfastened a cord 33 which passes through an eye 34 carried by the upperend of the tube 17.

rl`he flap valve 31 and curved portion Q8 of the wire are in suchrelation that when the wire drops down in the tube this curved portion28 will engage the free edge of the flap valve and hold the same inraised position as shown in Fig. 1. Vhen however, the fluid in thebottle or other receptacle rises suflieient-ly to leave the float 2? thewire will also he raised and caused to assume the dotted lined positionshown in Fig. 1 thus releasing the flap valve 31 and allowing the sameto close. In this manner the fluid contained in the body ofthe funnelwill he closed ofl from the delivery spout and further flow prevented.-When it is again desired to deliver fluid from the funnel a slight pullon the string or cord 33 will raise the flat valve and as the edge ofthis valve contacts with the portieri 29 of the wire the wire will belifted until the edge of the valve can be caught by the portion 28 ot'said wire and held in its raised position. There has thus been provideda .'mple and etlicient device of the kind described and for the purposespecified.

Having thus described my invention` what is claimed as new, is:-

1. In a funnel of the class described. a body portion having a flangearound the bottom thereof, a delivery spout extending from said bodvportion, a tube extending upward along t e side of said delivery spoutand through the wall of the body, a wire extending through the tube andhaving its upper end bent downward and forming a pgwl, a flap valv'ehinged within said funnel dy and adapted to seat on said flange, saidpawl being arranged to engage the free edge of said flap valve wherebywhen the wire is lifted the valve is released from the pawl. 2. A funnelof the class described comprising an inverted frusto-conical bodyportion, having an inwardly extendingr annular flange at its lower end,a delivery spout ex` ten ing downward from said lower end and providedwith lateral outlet openings and a closed lower extremity, a tubeextending along the side of said delivery spout and passing through thewall of the body portion, a guide secured adjacent the last men- Copiesof M this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing thetioned tube within the top of the funnel, a wire having a portionextending through the tube, said wire being rebent at lts upper end andextending through the guide, said wire being further reversely bent toform a pawl below the guide, the other end of said wire bein providedwith a spur opposite from the body and alined with the axis of thefunnel, a Hap valve hinged within the body at the lower end thereof andadapted for engagement by the pawl, a float carried by the spur, andmeans to lift the flap valve when the same is closed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE L. MILLER.

Witnesses:

HENRY H. JanNs, LILA BUCK.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. E

